Influence of intra- and extrauterine factors on infant sleep in the first 6 months of life

ObjectiveInfant sleep problems can affect the child's health. Maternal characteristics have been associated with the quality of infant sleep, but few studies have investigated the impact of intrauterine conditions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between adverse intrauterine environments (maternal smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and intrauterine growth restriction) and extrauterine factors on infant sleep in the first 6 months of life.MethodsProspective cohort study, including singleton and at-term infants. Mothers were interviewed after delivery and at 30 days, 3 months, and 6 months of life. Socioeconomic, breastfeeding, and sleep data were self-reported by mothers using semi-structured interviews. Maternal stress (Perceived Stress Scale) and postpartum depression symptoms (Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale) were assessed.ResultsThere was no statistically significant association between intrauterine environments and the sleep of infants of the 359 mother–child dyads investigated. Total infant sleep time decreased from approximately 13–11 h from 30 days to 6 months of age (p < 0.001) and the longest period of uninterrupted sleep increased from approximately 4–6 h during the same period (p < 0.001). Breastfed infants slept longer in 24-h periods in the first month, but they woke up more often throughout the night when compared to infants receiving formula. Mothers with depressive symptoms reported increased sleep latency time.ConclusionsAdverse intrauterine environments did not significantly affect sleep measures in the first 6 months of life. Maternal characteristics and practices, however, were associated with infant sleep, suggesting that environmental factors significantly contribute to sleep quality early in life.     

How is the quality of the available evidence on molar-incisor hypomineralization treatment? An overview of systematic reviews

Clinical Oral Investigations - This overview analyzed the quality of the systematic reviews (SRs) available on treatments for molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH). Six electronic databases were...     

Lymphoangionodulary anastomosis in cancer with metastases in lymph nodes

The paper presents the research results of lymphoangionodulary anastomosis perfusion properties in breast cancer. We have carried out the detailed study of 100 axillary lymph nodes affected with metastatic breast cancer and removed them using the method of sonolipodestruction ex vivo. The results obtained in the course of the study provide a basis for a new look at the problems of lymphodynamics in metastatic damage of a lymph system.